STInt Intern FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can apply for the STInt Programme?
STInt welcomes application from pre-service and early career teachers from the following programmes:
*Please note that early career teachers must have completed one of the programmes mentioned below within the past 5 years.
DCU: Any pre-service teacher in their penultimate or final year of study in Dublin City University completing:
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) Science Education
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) Physical Education with Biology/Mathematics
- Bachelor of Education (BEd) Primary with STEM specialism subject (i.e. Digital Learning, Mathematics, Science or Geography)
and any pre-service teacher completing:
- Professional Masters of Education (PME) with a STEM specialism subject in your undergraduate degree.
- Professional Masters of Education Primary (PMEP) primary with a STEM specialism subject in your undergraduate degree.
MU: Any pre-service teacher in their fourth year of study in Maynooth University completing:
- BSc Mathematics and Computer Science (with Education)
- BSc Mathematics with Education
- BSc Science (with Education)
and any pre-service teacher completing:
- Professional Masters of Education (PME) with a STEM specialism subject in your undergraduate degree.
- Professional Masters of Education (PME) with a STEM specialism subject in your undergraduate degree.
UCC: Any pre-service teacher in their penultimate or final year of study in University College Cork completing:
- Bachelor of Science Education degree
- BEd in Sports Studies and Physical Education (with mathematics)
- BEd in Gaeilge (with mathematics)
and any pre-service teacher completing:
- Professional Master of Education (PME) with a STEM specialism subject in your undergraduate degree.
UCD: Any pre-service teacher in their fourth or fifth year of study in University College Dublin completing:
- BSc/MSc Applied Mathematics, Mathematics & Education
- BSc/MSc Biology, Mathematics & Education
- BSc/MSc Chemistry, Mathematics & Education
- BSc/MSc Physics, Mathematics & Education
- BSc/MSc Computer Science, Mathematics & Education
and any pre-service teacher completing:
- Professional Masters of Education (PME) with a STEM specialism in your undergraduate degree
UG: Any pre-service teacher in their final or penultimate year of study in University of Galway completing:
- Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics and Education)
- Bachelor of Arts Education (Computer Science and Mathematical Studies)
and any pre-service teacher completing:
- Professional Masters of Education (PME) with a STEM specialism subject in your undergraduate degree
- Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO)
UL: Any pre-service teacher in their final or penultimate year of study in University of Limerick completing:
- BSc with concurrent Teacher Education (Science Education with Physics)
- BSc with concurrent Teacher Education (Science Education with Chemistry)
- BSc with concurrent Teacher Education (Science Education with Agricultural Science)
- BSc with concurrent Teacher Education (Physical Sciences with Chemistry and Physics)
- Bachelor of Science (Education) in Mathematics and Computer Science
- Bachelor of Technology (Education) in Graphics, Engineering and Technology concurrent with Teacher Education
- Bachelor of Technology (Education) in Graphics and Construction Technology concurrent with Teacher Education
and any pre-service teacher completing:
- Professional Masters of Education (PME) with a STEM specialism subject in your undergraduate degree.
STEM subject specialism subjects include science (biology, chemistry, physics, science), technology, engineering, mathematics, and geography.
In-service primary and post-primary STEM teachers who are recent graduates, less than five years, of the above programmes are also invited to apply.
Q: How do I prepare a CV?
A: Remember you are applying for a STEM role in a company, and not in a school, so your CV will need to be adjusted. Please follow the guidelines on this page (below the FAQ section) to complete your CV.
Q: What is expected of me?
A: You are expected to engage with the DCU STInt Programme Office in advance of, throughout and after your internship. You will participate in networking and specially designed professional development opportunities which will enhance the transferability of your STEM Teacher Internship experience to your classroom practice. You will also be expected to provide feedback and contribute to ongoing academic research which evaluates the effectiveness and impact of the programme.
You are expected to complete the full internship and be available for work (either remote or on-site) during the expected hours as set out by your line manager of your STInt host organisation. You may be requested to do some hours outside of normal office hours to attend special events and you may be entitled to time off in lieu as a result – this will be upon agreement with your line manager.
You are expected to act in a professional manner, be punctual and represent yourself, your university and the programme well throughout your placement.
Q: What is the programme timeline?
A: Click here to view the 2024 timeline.
Q: What kind of work will I be doing?
A: There are a variety of companies involved in the STInt Programme, covering a range of areas including consultancy, finance, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, telecommunications, utility services, gaming, software development and engineering. Each company has provided a job description for their 2023 internships, available here. It may also be useful to read the testimonials from previous STEM interns here.
In general, you will be integrated into a team within the company, given training and induction in a specific area of company activity, and asked to contribute towards a team project. No prior knowledge of the company or the sector is required – all training will be provided by your host company. In the application form, you will be able to indicate your preferred companies and location. We will then endeavour to match interns and their preferred companies where possible.
Q: Will this programme count towards credits in my university degree programme?
A: Participation in this programme is on a voluntary basis and does not count towards credits in your university degree programme.
Q: Will I have to do an interview with the company?
A: You will not be required to do a formal interview with the host company. However, you WILL be required to interview with the DCU STInt Programme team. If you are successful at interview stage, you will be matched with a host company. You will then arrange an initial phone or video call with your line manager in advance of starting the internship to discuss your role.
Q: Will there be other interns in the host company?
A: This varies from company to company. Some companies have interns working year round and they will be there when you start. In other cases, companies have a set start date for all summer interns and you start at the same time or you may be the only intern starting at that time. Companies are encouraged to take on more than one STInt intern, and if this is the case you will be introduced to one another in advance of the programme starting.
Q: Will I meet other interns participating in the STInt Programme?
A: Yes. You can expect to meet other interns on multiple occasions throughout the programme. The STInt Programme team will arrange professional learning and social opportunities for all STInt Interns throughout the summer, and there will be a closing event for the programme at the end of the summer. We have also created an online community of practice which enables STInt Alumni to stay in touch after the programme has ended.
Q: Can I remain in contact with the company after my internship is completed?
A: We hope so! The aim is for teachers to develop a long-term relationship with host companies. Suggestions of follow on activities include inviting representatives of the company to meet your future students and to act as inspiring role models for your students. You may also want to participate with your students in other programmes sponsored by the company.
Q: I am worried that I might have to resit exams this summer and they will fall during the 12 week internship. Can I still apply?
A: Yes. Please contact the STEM Teacher Internship Programme office on stint@dcu.ie in advance of the application closing date to discuss your specific details. In the past companies have supported students that had to resit exams in August. This will need to be discussed with your line manager about managing your annual leave and/or your start and end dates.
Q: I have already booked a holiday this summer. Can I still apply?
A: Yes. Please contact the STEM Teacher Internship Programme office on stint@dcu.ie in advance of the application closing date to discuss your specific case.
Q: I was planning to spend the summer at home. Will there be STEM internships available near my home? Will I still have to come to DCU for meetings?
A: Please let us know your preferred location in your application form, and if your application is successful, we will endeavour to match you with a company in your locality.
Q: Do I have to complete any tasks before the end of my internship?
A: Yes. You must create a short (maximum 2-minute) video that explains your role in the company, any project that you contributed to and reflects on your experience of a STEM Teacher Internship. You will create this video during your internship with the support of your host organisation, and the deadline for submission will be prior to the end date of your internship. You will need to liaise with your line manager to seek their approval for publicly sharing this video on the STEM Teacher Internship website. See here for examples from previous STInt Interns.
Q: Do I have to complete any tasks after the end of my internship?
A: Yes. You will be expected to provide feedback and participate in a focus group interview which will contribute to the evaluation of the STInt Programme.
Q: This sounds great! How do I apply?
A: You apply for the STInt Programme by clicking “Apply Now” (when applications open in January 2024) and remember to submit your full application in advance of the deadline. The STInt Programme team in DCU will process your application. If successful at that stage, you will be contacted for an interview.
Q: I have a further question about the programme, who do I contact?
A: Please contact the STInt Programme team at stint@dcu.ie
Contact details for individual team members are listed here.